– I think it means a lot for girls to see what we do here. It is important to get more girls into the industry, says Astrid Værholm. The 18-year-old is a newly appointed apprentice at the offshore company Nymo in Grimstad. Over the course of five years, the proportion of women at the company has increased from five to 14 per cent. The number of female apprentices in technology and industrial subjects at secondary schools in the country has also increased by almost 70 per cent since 2021. This is shown by figures from the Ministry of Education. Værholm joins a group of girls from Holviga junior high school on the company visit Jenter og Teknologi. This time in a new role. The aim is to inspire girls and show what kind of opportunities they have within the technology industry. Astrid Annie Værholm and the rest of the women at Nymo show the girls from Holviga junior high school around. Photo: Lilli Storrønningen / news Four years ago, she was part of the junior school group from Holviga visiting. – It’s nostalgic. Now I go together with the teacher I went with the first time I was here, says Astrid Værholm. Measures to increase the proportion of women This is the fourth year Nymo has had company visits by girls. HR intern Thea Elisabeth Andresen believes that visiting days at the company is one of several reasons why the proportion of women has increased. – We get to see what we do and what opportunities girls have. At the same time, we also have many role models, who show that it is possible. What is Girls and Technology? Jenter og Teknologi is a national recruitment project whose overall objective is to increase the proportion of women in technology. A total of 22 technology companies in the whole of Agder, from Flekkefjord in the west to Akland in the east and Evje in the north, are opening their doors to girls in the 9th and 10th grades this year. On company visits, the girls get to meet employees, participate in workshops, join a tour of the company and learn about technology. Andresen says that they have worked actively to ensure an attractive workplace for women. – We have an internal focus on promoting solidarity among us women, and organize lunches and summer parties for just the ladies, she says. The girls are given helmets and vests before the tour of Nymo. The students from Holviga secondary school feel the need for a tour. Despite the fact that not everyone wants to enter the technology industry, several of the students appreciate the day. Inspired pupils Apprentice Astrid Annie Værholm was inspired herself when she visited for the first time. – I became curious about what they were doing, and I also got a good explanation. It was also a lot of fun to be here with the class and build towers, which they are also going to do today, she says. Astrid Annie Værholm herself was inspired when she visited Nymo. Photo: Lilli Storrønningen / news Students at Holviga junior high school Helene Tobiassen Kjøsterud and Johanne Sundbø Tangen say that apprentice Astrid Annie has made an impression. – She has a lot of control and seems very clever. In addition, she went to the school we go to now, so it’s inspiring, says Tangen. even if Kjøsterud is not sure about her future job, she thinks the day has been good. – There are many exciting machines. I don’t really know if it’s something for me, but I could give it a chance. Diversity in industry Anne Klepstad is a senior adviser at NHO Agder. She says that diversity in an industry that is traditionally male-dominated is important. – Nymo is a good example of that. Having company visits is just one of several measures. It is extra fun to meet a girl who was here four years ago and is now an apprentice. I think that is inspiring, she says. Senior adviser at NHO Agder Anne Klepstad Simonsen says it is important to have diversity in the industry. Photo: Lokman Ghorbani / news Published 25.10.2024, at 05.16
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